Kaegebein Kleaning Krew recognized for effort

Kaegebein Elementary School recognized a group of unsung heroes in education Thursday.

by
Larry Austin

Kaegebein
Elementary School recognized a group of unsung heroes in education
Thursday.

Principal
Mary Haggerty presented the Golden Dustpan award to Mike DeMartin,
the head custodian at Kaegebein Elementary, for a job well done by
the Kaegebein Kleaning Krew in this summer's scorching heat.

Haggerty
explained that because much of the hard work and effort by the
cleaners and custodians takes place outside the view of students and
teachers, she wanted the "krew" to get its just due.

"They
don't always get a lot of credit for the job that they do, and
those are not easy jobs," Haggerty said. "They work hard for
their money and they do a great job. We're very proud of them and
we're very appreciative and very grateful that they do what they
do."

"It's
nice to be recognized," DeMartin said. In accepting the award and
thank-you letters from students at a surprise lunchtime gathering,
DeMartin, pictured above receiving the award, praised the others in
his krew: Rick Walworth, night custodian; and cleaners Anne
Henneberger, Daniel Pedlow and Liz Tucker. "We do have an
exceptional krew here," he said.

The
recognition included a "hip-hip-hooray" from the student body and
offered a teachable moment for the children as well, Haggerty said.
"It's just our way of making sure that the students understand
how important all of the adults are that work in the school and the
important work that they do to make it a great school for them."

"In probably the hottest, most difficult summer
we've had in a long, long time, not only did Mike and the Krew get
everything spic and span and wonderful, they did it well ahead of
time so the teachers could get back in their classrooms and be
prepared for the boys and girls," Haggerty said. "And he does it
consistently, year after year. Grand Island's buildings and grounds
department is just amazing and they all do a great job."